王天下有三重焉，其寡过矣乎！When one rules over the whole world with the threefold (rites, institutions, and the written language), he will probably make few mistakes!
治理天下能够做好议订礼仪，制订法度，考订文字规范这三件重要的事，就可以减少过失了吧！
上焉者虽善，无征。无征，不信。不信，民弗从。Those of the former times, though their ways were good, had no verification. Without verification, they could not be trusted. If not trusted, the people would not follow.
居于上位的人，虽然品行很好，但没有政绩。没有政绩，就不能使人信服，不能使人信服，老百姓就不会听从。
下焉者虽善，不尊。不尊，不信。不信，民弗从。Those of the later times, though their ways were good, did not have the dignity of the Son of Heaven. Without this dignity, they could not be trusted. If not trusted, the people would not follow.
居于下位的人，虽然品行很好，但由于没有尊贵的地位，也不能使人信服，不能使人信服，老百姓就不会听从。
故君子之道，本诸身，征诸庶民。Therefore, the way of a man of virtue is based on himself and verified by the common people.
所以，君子治理天下，先修养自身的德行，并从老百姓那里得到验证。
考诸三王而不缪，建诸天地而不悖。When examined against the ways of the Three Kings (the founders of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties), there is no error. When established in line with the principles of Heaven and Earth, there is no contradiction.
考查夏、商、周三代先王的做法而没有背谬，立于天地之间而没有悖理的地方。
质诸鬼神而无疑，百世以俟圣人而不惑。When questioned before the spirits and ghosts, there is no doubt. And when waiting for the coming of sages in a hundred generations, there is no confusion.
质询于鬼神而没有可疑的地方，百世以后待到圣人来验证也没有什么不理解的地方。
质诸鬼神而无疑，知天也。When questioned before the spirits and ghosts and there is no doubt, it means one knows Heaven.
质询于鬼神而没有疑问，这是知道天理；
百世以俟圣人而不惑，知人也。When waiting for the coming of sages in a hundred generations and there is no confusion, it means one knows man.
百世以后待到圣人出现也没有什么不理解的地方，这是知道人意。
是故君子动而世为天下道，行而世为天下法，言而世为天下则。Therefore, when a man of virtue acts, his actions become the way for the whole world for generations; when he walks, his steps become the law for the whole world for generations; when he speaks, his words become the rules for the whole world for generations.
所以君子的举动能世世代代成为天下的法则，君子的行为能世世代代成为天下的法度，君子的言谈能世世代代成为天下的准则。
远之，则有望；近之，则不厌。When people are at a distance from him, they look up to him; when they are close to him, they never tire of him.
在远处有威望，在近处也不使人厌恶。
诗曰：“在彼无恶，在此无射；庶几夙夜，以永终誉。”The Book of Songs says, "There is no hatred for him there, nor weariness of him here; may he be diligent day and night, so as to maintain his good reputation forever."
《诗经》说，“在那里没有人憎恶，在这里没有人厌烦，日日夜夜操劳啊，为了保持美好的名望。”
君子未有不如此，而蚤有誉于天下者也。There has never been a man of virtue who did not act in this way and yet early gained a good reputation in the world.
君子没有不这样做而能够早早在天下获得名望的。
